Trailer draft connection



Patented Jan. 6,.'1920.

wt Naoom. TRAILER DRAFT CONNECTION. .l APPLICATION FILED :FEB-*20, i919- onion.

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TRAILER DRAFT CONNECTION.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Original application led July 23, 1917, Serial No. 182,178. Divided and this application filed February 20,

1919. Serial No. 278,281.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM N. BOOTH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trailer Draft Connections, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates ,tol trailer draft connections and -has for its main object the provision of a construction in which the universal coupling between the members attached to the motor vehicle and trailer comprises a ball and socket in permanent en'- gagement with each other. Other ob]ects of the invention reside in the novel arrangements and combinations of parts as more fully hereinafter set forth. n

The present application is a division of my prior application Serial No. 182,178, filed July 23, 1917, for trailer draft connection for motor vehicles.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion `of the frame of the car, showing my improved draft connection applied thereto;

aXle which contains the differential.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectionpartly in elevation of the draft connection.

A is the frame of the motor vehicle and is supported upon the rear aXle by a laterally-extending spring B clipped to the rear cross bar C of the frame, said spring 'and cross bar being upwardly bowed to provide clearance for the enlargement D of ltVlIie y improved draft connection is applied to this structure at the point of connection between the spring B and cross bar C and preferably substituting it for the clip plates. As shown, E is a metallic U-shaped strap having its parallel portions Fand F spaced to correspond with the spacing of the clips Gr and G securing the cross bar C to the spring B. The bars F and F are apertured for the passage of these clips, preferablywith a plurality of apertures permitting of adjustment of the strap longitudinally in to different positions. Thus, when the clip clamping bolts H are tightened, the strap E will be securely fastened to the frame.

The rear end of the strap E has attached thereto a universal coupling, preferably coinv prising a member I secured by the bolts .I to the strap and having a lugK engaging the inner edge of the strap to carry the draft stress thereinto. The member Iis provided with a spherical socket I in which is arranged a ball L centrally apertured foi' the passage of a bolt M. This bolt serves to secure to the ball a bifurcated draft bar N,-

which latter isl secured in any suitable maniiei to the pole or tongue O of the trailer.

`l/Vith the construction as described the strap E and fitting I will be located at a point centrally in rear of the vehicle and in a position free from interference with' other parts. To attach or detach the trailer it is only necessary to disengage the bolt M,

which permits of engaging or removing the Y of the vehicle is avoided.

From the above description it will be readily seen that by having the universal coupling formed of the spherical socket I in permanent engagement with the ball I.,

the contacting surfaces between the socket and ball can be lubricated and will not collect dust or dirt as would be the case if they were detached from each other. Moreover, the engagement between the ball andsocket being permanent, Aa comparatively close fitting can be secured and rattling of the parts will be avoided. able engagement between the trailer draft bar and the ball being a clamping connection, the parts are. also free from rattle and Y permit of quick attachment and detachment. Still another important consideration is that the construction can be comparatively cheaply manufactured.

What I claim as my inventionis:

1. A trailer draft connection, comprising a member for connection with the tractor, a m'eniber attacliable to the trailer, and a universal coupling betweenI said members comprising a ball and socket in permanent engagement with each other, the socket member being attached to one of the mem- Patented Janr, 19.20.,V

Furthermore, the detach` bers of said draft 'connection and the 'ball having a Idetachable engagement with the other of said members. l

2. A trailer draft connection, comprising 5 two' members respectively attachable to the tractor and the trailer, a universalcoupling v between said members comprising a ball and a socket inper'manent engagement with each other, means for attaching the socket member to one of saidvfirst-mentioned members,

, llacialply clamping said'lbiurc'ation to said al aU-shaped member engageable with the I the socket vmember a bifurcation on theother of said members j for embracing the` ball, and means for'de- 1 3. A trailer draft connection,'comprising 15 having its furcatons rear cross-spring of a tractor and constituting clip-plates therefor, a member attachableto therdraft bar'of the trailer, anda universal coupling comprising 20 a'ball and socket in permanent, engagement, being centrally attached to Asaid U-shaped member, clamping thetrailer draft ball member.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

N. BooTH.

member 'to-.said

and a pin for .l 

